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About Us

Our Frequently Asked Questions

Your building questions answered.

We’ve collated commonly asked building and investment questions to give you more information about building in New Zealand. 

If you have a building question that is not answered here, get in touch via our Contact Us page or give us a call on 0800 4 FOWLER.

  • Fowler Homes has been building homes for Kiwis since 1984 and is one of the longest-standing building companies in New Zealand, ensuring quality construction.
  • We are New Zealand-owned & operated. You will work directly with us and our project management teams.
  • We offer custom design and build services, including a range of plans to build from, knockdown and rebuild services, and can even build from your existing house plans.
  • We have access to the best suppliers, contractors, and group pricing rates, and present you with a fixed-priced contract, which means we build your home on time and on budget
  • We communicate often and well. Our teams use construction software for all communications during the building process, making it easy for you to stay informed and involved.
  • Build with peace of mind. All our homes come with the 10-Year Master Builders Guarantee.
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    Generally, it takes between 10 to 12 months to build a new home. This includes the initial planning and consenting process. The build itself usually takes around 6 to 8 months from the beginning of the earthworks to handing over the keys.

    There are aspects from the builder and client’s side that can extend build timeframes, like material shortages, shipping delays, weather events and the characteristics of each home. The bigger the home, the longer it takes for the slab to be poured, framing and construction. Complexity can also influence time frames.

    All our build projects are carefully managed to minimise delays as much as reasonably possible.
    The cost of building your home will depend on many factors, including your location, section, home design, building materials, and the specific fittings and finishes you select.

    Your Fowler Homes team can assist you in making your design selections with your specific budget in mind and will present you with a fixed priced contract.

    The contract may include provisional sums for items that can’t be fully quantified at the start of the job, such as earthworks.
    No. Fowler Homes take pride in presenting you with a fixed price contract for your build, and will not break this contract.

    The contract may include provisional sums or PC sums for items like earthworks.

    Yes. Non-structural changes are usually no issue and can be achieved with a variation to the original contract.

    Any variation to your original contract often means there will be additional costs to your build.

    Some alterations, including structural changes, may require new plans to be drafted and approved by Council.
    Yes. Some of the Fowler Homes teams have in-house architectural designers, and others collaborate with local architects to offer design services. We have great relationships with many architects. You are also welcome to use your preferred architect.
    A detailed description of the build project, including plans, specifications, and any customisation options. A detailed Master Build contract will be drafted. This contract outlines the total price of your build and how payments will be staged throughout your new home build. At this point, you can review your contract and make changes.

    Every Fowler Homes build comes with a 10-year Master Builders guarantee. A Master Build 10-Year Guarantee protects you through the building process, and for the next 10 years. It provides much greater protection than both the Building Act and Consumer Guarantees Act.

    It protects you in the event of:

    • Loss of deposit
    • Non-completion of building
    • Material, workmanship and structural defects

    To find out more information on the Master Build 10-Year Guarantee refer to their website www.masterbuilder.org.nz

    Fowler Homes has a 12-month building defect warranty period, effective from the completion date.

    This covers you for defects that may become apparent after completion and the final inspection. Individual supplier warranties and guarantees will also be available.
    Fowler Homes is a nationwide brand with over 40 years in the building industry. We work with reputable contractors. Our team values selecting experienced and reliable contracts and subcontracts. We check references and review past work. We also work with many national suppliers who offer the best products and services.
    Absolutely, we love to share the milestones with our clients. We ask that you give us a call first to arrange the time.

    We need to know who’s been where for health & safety reasons and to prevent any damage to works in progress.
    Yes, we can work with you through the process for what we call “Owner Supplied” items.

    Products and services will need to be approved to ensure they meet the requirements of the building code and do not affect the build schedule.
    Yes.

    If you are purchasing one of our turnkey or house and land packages, we can facilitate lending directly through our partnership with a local mortgage broker or Squirrel.

    We also work with YouOwn who offer a shared home ownership model. Read more.
    Yes, gas energy is here to stay. Natural gas and LPG will continue to be delivered to connected consumers until we have fully moved to new low and zero-carbon gases, likely to be by 2050. Read our 'What's the gas' blog here for more info.

    Any gas appliance your purchase now you will be able to use for its expected lifestyle (typically 15 years). Most modern gas appliances are already able to run on a blend of natural gas and renewable hydrogen gas (up to 20%) or biogas, so you can continue to use them as our country adapts its energy mix to reduce emissions. Newer compatible appliances will become widely available as we move towards a more renewable gas energy future. Read more.

    Yes, if you meet the requirements from the Overseas Investment Office.

    You can buy or build a home in New Zealand without applying for consent if you, your partner (as defined in the Property (Relationships) Act 1976), or your spouse:

    • are a New Zealand citizen (whether or not you live here)
    • have a New Zealand residence class visa and are ordinarily resident in New Zealand
    • are an Australian or Singaporean citizen, and buy a house or land that has a property category of ‘residential’ or ‘lifestyle’.
    • are an Australian or Singaporean citizen and are ordinarily resident, and buy land that is ‘residential and otherwise sensitive’ (for example, Residential Land that is also sensitive because it is on an island, next to a beach or river, or next to a conservation area)
    • are an Australian or Singaporean permanent resident and are ordinarily resident and buy land ‘that has a property category of ‘residential’ or ‘lifestyle.

    If you have a residence class visa but you are not yet ‘ordinarily resident’, you can buy or build one home to live in as long as you get consent from the Overseas Investment Office before you buy.

    You can apply for pre-approval that lasts up to a year. This is the most flexible form of consent and is recommended by the Overseas Investment Office.

    To get more in-depth clarification on the requirements, head over to these resource links here and here
    A turnkey package is a contract where the builder/Fowler Homes handles everything from start to finish. This includes purchasing the land, designing and constructing the home, and finishing it with all the essentials like flooring, paint, light fixtures, driveways, and landscaping.

    Key features include:
  • Fixed Priced Contract
  • Simple financing with a 5-10% deposit and balance paid on completion
  • Minimal Hassle
  • Certainty

    A house and land package is a more traditional approach to building. It involves two separate contracts - one for the land and one for the construction, and a greater level of involvement from the buyer.

    Key features include:
  • Two contracts
  • Progress payments
  • More control and customisation
  • Potential for more variation costs

    Read our blog post to find out more.
    • From first builds to dream homes, we've got your covered.

    Contact our team today to set up a client meeting. It would be our pleasure to guide you through the exciting process of designing and building your new home or investment property.

    Contact Us Now